For week 9/30, written 9/26

After reading what has been written about NAGPRA, I see this to be an important piece of legislation. As for me, I would not appreciate the fact knowing that my ancestors had been dug out and removed from their graves in order to perform"science" to show that they are seen to be less than human. I would also not appreciate having my ancestors' bones on display for the whole world to see. This would make me really angry to know that my country was doing this to me. It is good to have the ability to ask for bones, sacred artifacts, and other objects which had been buried in the graves which were being desecrated. It is also good to know that considerations are being made to make sure that the sacred objects are being seen as such and are being treated with respect. When the graves were desecrated, I would have felt desecrated, knowing that my loved ones could not stay in their graves. You would think that Egypt would have a similar policy in getting back the mummies which are spread all over the world in the different museums which house them. NAGPRA is an important part of new museology since it determines what can go into a museum's collection and makes sure that any piece that goes into a collection is taken care of properly. After listening to Karen Wilde talk all that she went through working with the different tribes and all of the projects she worked on, she had a lot to do. She spent a lot of time gaining the trust of the tribes she represented to the Lt. Governor, as well as dealing with the NAGPRA situations when Native American remains were found. A lot had to be done in order to fulfill all of her responsibilities with working with the CHS who took care of a lot of objects which belong to the Native Americans. In all, she did a good job with what she had in dealing with the different committees she had to work with.